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Atypical Shingles Outbreak?

Posted , 3 users are following.

pat22611
pat22611

I am 70 years old and in excellent health. I had the shingles vaccine 7 years ago. During the Thanksgiving holiday, I had a very large, scarlet colored rash breakout on my right thigh. It was oval shaped, about 8 inches long by 5 inches wide. I had no pain or itching, just mildly hot. I experienced extreme fatigue and unusual depression. I contacted my PCP for advice but due to the holiday, did not get a response for 7 days. An Rx for Valtrex has been called in to my pharmacy. My symptoms have completely subsided so still not sure if it was, in fact, a shingles outbreak. Did extensive research of symptoms online and found nothing else that fit. So if it was shingles, it was apparently a very mild case and I was extremely lucky. Would love to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Blom
    Blom pat22611

    Posted

    Hi Pat, you were infact very lucky that it was a mild outbreak, as that sounds exactly like shingles. Shingles doesnt always break out in a rash thar erupts. I knew immediately last thursday that my shingles were coming back (to my horror), as I had that intense hot feeling on my foot where i always use to get it. Within hours there was a blister. Its a heat that cant be explained to anyone thats never experienced shingles. Good luck and i hope this is where the shingles leaves you.
    • pat22611
      pat22611 Blom

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your timely response! I suspect similar experiences to mine have occurred but are rarely shared on forums like this one which is why I felt compelled to do so. Maybe my experience will help someone else with similar uncertainty. Thank you again for your good wishes.  
  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 pat22611

    Posted

    Hi Pat!

    Did you have any vesicle-blisters on the scarlet colored rash? The "hot" feeling and the accompanying symptoms of depression and extreme fatigue

    certainly are exactly like Shingles. As you had the vaccine, you probably have been fortunate to have had a milder case of Shingles.

    I am a Nurse Practitioner in the States.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • pat22611
      pat22611 Merry19451

      Posted

      Hi Merry...this is my first time EVER joining a communication forum and I’m so happy I did. I did not have any vesicle-blisters that typically accompany a shingles rash which is why I was a bit uncertain about my self diagnosis. But now that the rash has disappeared leaving only a faint shadow and my other symptoms of fatigue and depression are gone, I’m 95% sure it was a mild shingles outbreak. I can’t thank you enough for your response🙏🙌🤗

  • Shoe_Lady
    Shoe_Lady pat22611

    Posted

    Sometimes I can have a blister appear and be gone 24hrs later!!! I would think I'm crazy, but I have my husband take pictures (since it is usually on my back), and he can verify that this is true. However that does not mean my internal symptoms subside that quickly. I tend to struggle with the fatigue and pain for quite a while. I have found shingles as no rules or boundaries, and the medical community has no clue about it. Take care and happy healing!!

    • pat22611
      pat22611 Shoe_Lady

      Posted

      Thank you so much Shoe Lady for responding🙏 All the symptoms I experienced during the outbreak have subsided so I’m 95% confident it was a mild shingles outbreak and I feel extremely lucky. My best friend has been having shingles outbreaks for years anytime she is under extreme stress. She also gets the rash and blisters but with no pain or itching. So I would have to agree that shingles comes in many, many forms. I was lucky but my heart goes out to all those who experience a lengthy period of blisters and pain. It must be truly agonizing. Thank you again for taking time out to respond🙏🙌

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